Shit Still Happens!

So what do you do now that you have stopped drinking and shit happens?  Now there’s a question!  

Now that you don’t have the option for blocking it all out or dampening the feelings of anxiety that comes with the crap that you have to deal with, that easy win of a drink from previous days is gone, what are you going to do?   Now you have to actually deal with your thoughts and emotions in real time, face the problem head on and that can be scary right?  Now you are outside of your comfort zone in a foreign land.  Fuck!

It doesn't matter what the situation is that is “shit”, if it is shit for you then it is shit and only you know how you feel.  Don’t play down the severity of the situation if you feel that it wouldn’t be seen as a big deal to others, this is your shit and it deserves to be treated however you need it to be treated.  I have  felt guilty in the past for feeling emotional about something that is nowhere near as bad as what other people go through but I am learning that this is harmful, we are all unique and all view things differently and react in our own ways.  No one else's shit is worse than yours. 

You may feel lost, overwhelmed and uncertain of how to deal with this new way of dealing with unpleasant experiences, but if you are able to recognise that you are feeling like this you are already onto a great start, you should reach out to a trusted person and let them know that you are not ok.  Trust me when I say that having that communication is such a relief, it is literally like sharing the burden even though this is still your problem.  As you are speaking you are processing the information differently than when it is just chaos in your head.  Speak, and listen, let others know how you are feeling and they will help you, just by saying what may appear to be a trivial comment on a “normal” day could play such a significant part of the rest of your day – ask for help, don’t be ashamed or embarrassed, you may surprise yourself and one day you may be able to return the favour because we all need to be supported at some point and now you have experience of this on your side.

Let's face it – this is just life right?  And it can be shit, but you just have to roll with it –  as I am frequently told when I am going through bad days - “this time will pass” and do you know what?  it does pass and this shit time will be remembered and learned from, and the processes that you went through to get through each hour, each day, in one piece will be embedded in your head and you will already be better prepared for the next shit time – and there will be more shit times, that’s one thing in life that is guaranteed.